248114 F/O.. Robert Walden Bass Royal Canadian Air Force 223 Squadron from:London, Ontario, Canada Bob Bass was a high school math and physics teacher in Ontario before the war. He grew up on a farm just outside the small town of Thedford, ON about 30 minutes from Sarnia. He attended the University Of Western Ontario, now Western University, at 17.
He enlisted at Rainy River, ON in 1943 and joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. Bob initially trained as a pilot but later switched to navigation as he felt he was more suited for it. Following all his flight and navigation training in Canada, he was transferred to the No. 111 Operational Training Unit in Nassau, Bahamas.
He went to England in August 1944 and was attached to the 223 Squadron at RAF Oulton. The 223 Squadron, at the time and seemingly still today, was a secret flying unit that flew electronic counter measure flights for bomber raids with 100 Group. He flew on 21 operational missions, day and night, as a navigator.
Bob was ready for another assignment in the Pacific but on his return home to Canada in August 1945, Japan surrendered and both theatres of war were over. Bob always said that the best lessons he learned in life he learned growing up on the farm. He returned to education after the war where he had a very distinguished career. Bob died in 2013 at age 95. His entire family thanks him for his service to his country in a time of great need. He is sorely missed by us all.
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